Electrical and morphological characterization of polyaniline/sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone) composite films

Abstract

Electrically conductive polyaniline/sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone) (PANI/BPS-35) composites were prepared. The influence of humidity and temperature on electrical conductivity of 20 wt% polyaniline containing composite films was tested. The conductivity increment from 17 mS/cm to 44 mS/cm was observed when the temperature increased from 24 degrees C to 80 degrees C at 50% relative humidity (RH). The maximum conductivity was 53 mS/cm at 80 degrees C and 70% RH. Aluminum (Al) and gold (Au) contacts were deposited onto PANI/BPS composite films and their contact properties have been investigated. While Al contacts behave like Schottky type contact, Au contacts showed nearly ohmic characterization. Scanning electron microscopy technology was used to investigate the morphology of PANI/BPS-35 composite films.